How to add a power out socket to my amplifier?

[ucdbiendog]

This is probably more suited for highly tech. forum, but nobody goes there. Anyway, what i want is a plug in the back of my amplifier that only provides juice when the amp is turned on. The reason is that my sub is always plugged into teh wall and turned on, since it does not trun on/off with the receiver. Is this possible, and if so, anyone know how to do this? I did a quick search on google, but wasnt sure what to search, and didnt find anything
Thanks!

 

[EyeMWing]

Unless your amp is OLD (i.e. has no digital components whatsoever), you're looking at VERY complex mods. If it's old, it's likely relatively easy.

 

[ucdbiendog]

it has digital components. im not to sure on how relays work, but couldnt this work? and that would only be on the exterior right?

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

What reciever do you have? Most receivers these days have outlets on the back that go on and off with the receiver. Also, a lot of subs have an auto-standby mode whereby they turn themselves off when there is no signal present.

 

[gsaldivar]

Just use a powerstrip or somethin... :thumbsup:

 

[EyeMWing]

In order to tie it in to the amp's power-on, you'd definitely have to make significant electronic modifications. Essentially you'd have to find how the power-on signals (i.e. remote, power button) communicate to the power supply, and somehow, I can't figure out how right now, tie a relay into that to open up a mains line to your sub.

The mains to the amp is always live, the on/off switching is on (most of) the DC supply to the electronic bits. This makes it impossible to just tie it into the mains of the amp, because you'd still have the same situation - always on. Just plugged into a different spot. Frankly, it isn't worth the effort.

This of course assumes that your amp already does not have an aux power output on the back that is already switched with the rest of the thing. If it does, why in the hell are you posting this?

 

[biostud]

If your amplifier had an USB plug I knew a solution
I ave a a multiple power plug that has an USB wire, and only when there's power on the USB line will it deliver power. So all my peripehals to my computer is powered by thsi, so I don't have to turn them off manually.

Otherwise the easiest, but not what you wanted, would probably be to buy an extension cord, insert a powerswitch and place that close to to your amp.

 

[ucdbiendog]

Its a Sony STR-K740P. I know for a fact it does not have an outlet on the back, i checked. The power strip idea leaves me in teh same situation i am in now, i would not be able to turn the sub on/off with the amp remote. The only reason i care to do this is to save electricity, 50W 24/7 is not exactly cheap, considering its in use maybe 4-6 hours a day tops.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

X-10 gear...

Put a power sensing module on the amp (The amp's AC cord plugs into the module and the module plugs into the wall) and a power cut off module on the sub (same thing) and program the cut off module to turn on/off with the amp. When the power sensor on the amp detects that the amp is off it can send a signal to the swtch the sub is plugged into to turn the sub off.

The web site is a mess but you should be able to find something here.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Even if you did have a plug in the back, the manual will tell you not to plug a sub into it. Those plugs are designed for a low load, so if you make one somehow, you're going to have to do something that's better than what manufacterers do.
They are designed to turn on DVD players, VCRs, etc. Not a huge power hungry device like a subwoofer.

What kind of sub do you have that it uses 50watts when not in use? :Q

 

[ucdbiendog]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Even if you did have a plug in the back, the manual will tell you not to plug a sub into it. Those plugs are designed for a low load, so if you make one somehow, you're going to have to do something that's better than what manufacterers do.
They are designed to turn on DVD players, VCRs, etc. Not a huge power hungry device like a subwoofer.

What kind of sub do you have that it uses 50watts when not in use? :Q

see that is the thing, i getno impression that it goes on standby mode when its not in use. The power light is always green.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: ucdbiendog

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Even if you did have a plug in the back, the manual will tell you not to plug a sub into it. Those plugs are designed for a low load, so if you make one somehow, you're going to have to do something that's better than what manufacterers do.
They are designed to turn on DVD players, VCRs, etc. Not a huge power hungry device like a subwoofer.

What kind of sub do you have that it uses 50watts when not in use? :Q

see that is the thing, i getno impression that it goes on standby mode when its not in use. The power light is always green.

Is it a 50 watt sub? I'm confused... or does it consume 50watts when idle but not in standby?

If it's not playing anything, I doubt it really consuming a lot of power.

 

[ucdbiendog]

regardless if it is on or not, it should still be drawing that amount of power. The sticker on the back of the sub says 50W on it. I would take this to mean its a 50W sub.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: ucdbiendog
regardless if it is on or not, it should still be drawing that amount of power. The sticker on the back of the sub says 50W on it. I would take this to mean its a 50W sub.

I think that's going to be your maximum output power... when it's playing as loud as it can.

The amplifier wont be using a lot of power when it's not doing anything I would think.

This is a really odd example, but I know some SVS users have the lights dim in their house when they crank their bass. Subs use more power when they're being played.

I'm sure it would be less in standby, but I highly doubt it's using 50watts when not in use if it's advertised as a "50 watt sub"

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: biostud
If your amplifier had an USB plug I knew a solution
I ave a a multiple power plug that has an USB wire, and only when there's power on the USB line will it deliver power. So all my peripehals to my computer is powered by thsi, so I don't have to turn them off manually.

Otherwise the easiest, but not what you wanted, would probably be to buy an extension cord, insert a powerswitch and place that close to to your amp.

you could use that if you could find a +5v dc source within the amp.....